In today’s market, having a clean park with great amenities is no longer enough to drive occupancy and revenue. Discoverability—and the guest experience before they ever step foot on your property—is more important than ever.
As online research and mobile bookings dominate how guests choose where to stay, RV park and campground owners must adopt a modern, intentional marketing approach. Here’s how the landscape is shifting—and what forward-thinking owners can do to stay ahead.
1. Digital Visibility is Now Your Front Door
Most travelers no longer find parks via highway signs or travel books—they find them online. According to KOA’s latest report, 73% of Millennials and Gen Z RVers find parks through web search and social media, and 42% of bookings happen on mobile devices.
What to do:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. It’s the #1 way guests check reviews, photos, and directions.
- Leverage SEO tools like CampgroundLaunch.com. Their service helps parks rank better on Google Maps and Search—especially useful for small-to-mid-sized parks that don’t have marketing teams.
- Invest in professional photography. Guests scroll fast. Your main image must stop them in their tracks.
2. Reputation is Currency: Prioritize Reviews
A clean park with bad online reviews will lose bookings. A park with a 4.7+ rating and compelling images will fill up—even if it’s older.
Yet many parks passively wait for reviews instead of actively generating them.
Gabe’s insight: Over 80% of guests will leave a 5-star review if asked directly with a link. At Campground Launch, they’ve quadrupled 5-star review velocity with targeted outreach.
What to do:
- Train your front desk or use post-stay texts to request reviews.
- Add signage in bathhouses and at checkout with a QR code linking to Google Reviews.
- Respond to every review—positive or negative. Prospective guests are watching how you engage.
3. Use Guest Data to Drive Repeat Stays
Most RV parks don’t capture any guest data beyond what the reservation system stores. That’s a missed opportunity.
What you can do:
- Collect emails and phone numbers (with permission).
- Set up a basic email newsletter through Mailchimp or ConvertKit.
- Send seasonal updates, special promos, or new amenity announcements to past guests.
A single repeat stay can be worth hundreds—and takes far less effort than acquiring a brand-new guest.
4. Build Referral Relationships with Nearby Parks
Referral networks are an untapped goldmine. Many parks turn guests away during busy weekends or when they don’t meet rig restrictions—without offering an alternative.
What to do:
- Partner with nearby parks that serve a different segment (e.g., you’re big-rig friendly, they’re vintage-focused).
- Share availability calendars or group chats to pass overflow guests.
- Offer referral discounts or commissions if desired.
These relationships increase goodwill, help guests stay local, and protect your online reputation even when you’re full.
5. Content is Credibility: Tell Your Story
Photos are powerful, but short-form video and storytelling now dominate social discovery—especially for younger campers.
What to do:
- Post short videos (15–60 seconds) on Instagram or Facebook showing daily park life, upgrades, or guest shoutouts.
- Highlight the story behind your park: the family who runs it, the old-school charm, the upgraded Wi-Fi, or pet-friendly perks.
- Use hashtags like #RVLife, #CampTexas, or #Glamping to increase discoverability.
Even one viral post can spike your bookings.
6. Invest in Smart Marketing Software
Running ads manually is exhausting. But automated marketing platforms built for RV parks can be a game-changer.
Recommended tools:
- CampgroundLaunch: Helps with Google visibility, review strategy, and consulting.
- Campspot: Offers built-in dynamic pricing and guest communication features.
- Spot2Nite or RoverPass: Adds your park to RV booking marketplaces with large user bases.
7. Operate with Your End Game in Mind
If you’re planning to sell your park in the next 1–3 years, know this: buyers are looking at your digital footprint as part of their due diligence.
Parks with:
- 4.5+ star Google Reviews
- Mobile-friendly websites
- Branded social media pages
- Consistent revenue from repeat guests
…will trade faster and at higher multiples than similar parks without those assets.
Final Thought: Stop Being the Best-Kept Secret
The best operators aren’t just improving their parks—they’re making sure the world sees them.
From digital visibility to referral partnerships and repeat guest marketing, online strategy is no longer optional. It’s the new standard for staying full, staying competitive, and ultimately, increasing the value of your park.
If you’d like a complimentary introduction to the team at Campground Launch—or help setting up a basic marketing strategy—reach out to North Star Brokerage & Advisory. We’re here to help you grow, whether you’re holding for cash flow or preparing for sale.
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